Automatic fire extinguisher



Oct. 8, 1929. c. c. BUTLER AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUSHER Filed July 13, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 8, 1929. c. c. BUTLER AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2- SheetshSheet 2 Filed Jul'y 15, 1928 Sme/wm Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES CLAUDE C. BUTLER, OF AL-IKCHI, OKLAHOMA. v

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER yApplication filed July 13,

This invention relates to an automatic tire extinguishing system embodying weight controlled means for operating valvesto admit water to the spray pi pts of the system.

An important object of the invention is to provide fusible cords for normally holding the weights in their inactive positions, the fusible cords allowing the weights to drop to operate the valves when the cords have 10 been burned by the lire in the building in which the extinguisher is installed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combi- 5 nation and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made Within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view n through a building showing a fire extin- 5 guishing system constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the valve controlling mechanism as in its set position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the valve controlling mechanism showing the same as moved to operate the valve.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the fire extinguishing system forming the subject matter ofthe present invention is shown as installed in a building, the building being indicated generally by the reference character 5, and while I have shown the system inroom, it is to be understood that the system may be installed in any number of rooms desired. e Y An automatic fire extinguishing system constructed in accordance with the present invention embodies spray pipes 6 which are arranged within the building at a point adjacent to the ceiling thereof, pipes 7 arranged between the walls of the building, pipe 8 arranged above the ceiling beams of the buildstalled in a building embodying a singlev 1928. serial No. 292,463.

'ingdirectly under the roof beams, and pipes 9 disposed exteriorly of the building and arranged in spaced relation with each other across the rcof of the building.

The pipes 6, 7 and 8 are supplied with water passing through pipe 10, While the pipes 9 are suppliedl with water passing through pipe 11, the pipes 10 and 11 being however in communication with the main water supply so that water under pressure will be fed to the spray pipes.

ln each of the pipes 10 and 11 is a controlling valve normally held in its closed position to prevent the passage of water through the r pipes to the spray pipes. An operating lever pf- 12 is connected with each valve and is adapted to be engaged by means of the sliding weight 18 associated therewith, the sliding. weight 13 being normally held in its uppermost position, by means of the pivoted arm 111 which in turn is held in its uppermost position by means of the weight 15 that is supported by the fusible cord-16.

The fusible cord 1 6 passes through eyes 17 that are located in such relation with respect to .each other that the fusible ,cordy maybe' arranged in proximity to the spray pipes that spray the inner surfaces of the building,

' while the fusible cord indicated at 18 passes through guides or eyelets 19 arranged exte- 30' riorly of the building to normally support the weight 15 associated therewith, and which acts to control the valve in the pipe through which water passes to the spray pipes 9. f Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, should a'fire occur exteriorly of the buil-ding the fusible cord 18 would be burned, allowing the weight 15 associated therewith, to fall whereupon the weight 13 would overbalance the arm and move to a position to operate'the valve lever and open the valve that allows water to pass through the pipe 11 to the spray pipes 9.

Should an interior fire occur, it is obvious that the fusible cord 16 would burn allowing the weight controlled valve operating mechanism to'move to open the pipe line 1 0 and allow water to pass to the spray pipes 6, 7 and 8. 1.90

Disposed adjacent to each lever l2, is u. blade switch 20 that normally lies in the path of travel of Jthe lever l2 associated therewith, so that when the lever 12 is moved to open the valve, or to a position as shown by Figure 5 of the drawings, a circuit Will be Completed through the Wires 2l and 22 leading to the signal 23 to the end that a signal will be made simultaneously With the opening ot' the valves to admit Water to the spray pipes.

The reference Character 24 designates a union whereby air or Water under pressure may be directed to the spray pipes to force any foreign matter from .the pipes, which would otherwise tend to elogthenn t Positioned under the'weigjirht` l5 isv a ver-` tically movable redr 25 pivotally connected with one arm ol the bell crank 26 which in turn mounted inthe breek-et 2?. Rods 28wconneot' with the bell crank lever at 29 and? :Redesigned to have' connection with a suitable door operating mechanism for movingV the doors to theiropenpositions When the. be-llwranli lever is operated, said operation occurring when the weight l5 'falls and engages-the upper end'` of the rod' 25.

lVhenftl'ierodsr28' are opera-ted, it Will be obvious that doors tolwhiehithey are conneeted-Wil'lwbemoved to their Open positions, releasinganimals 'from the building, it being understoeel'v that this construction of operw ating/mechanism is especially designed' for barn-sor other out buildings in which stock I". claim-t Af tire extinuishing. system yincluding spray pipes, a supplyi pipeJ for' delivering' n Water tothe spray pipes, av-aire 1n the supply pipe, alever for' operating the. valve,

vertically movable Weight operating.;l on the supply pipe and f adapted to Amore downwardly to contact-fwithI the lever to open the valve and admit Water `to the s 3ra )i aes awvei'ht' for normally over-balancing,Y the` lirst' mentionedweight, and a fusiblecord 'or'norm'al'ly holding'the secondv mentioned Weight inv its inactive' position.

In testimony that' I claimfthe foregoing 'asmy own, I have hereto aliixed my signature.

CLAUDE G. BUTLER; 

